Pokémon TCG Trading Enhanced Through Pocket Backlash

Pokemon TCG Pocket's Trading Feature Faces Backlash, Promising Improvements

Developer DeNA has pledged to revamp the trading system in Pokemon TCG Pocket following significant player criticism. The issues stem from the trading feature's recent implementation, released January 29th, 2025.

High Cost of Trade Tokens Fuels Player Dissatisfaction

The trading feature, while intended to aid Pokedex completion, has fallen short due to several limitations. Players can only trade 1-4 Diamond and 1-Star rarity cards from Genetic Apex and Mythical Island packs. The primary complaint centers on the exorbitant cost of trade tokens, the in-game currency required for trading. Acquiring sufficient tokens necessitates sacrificing higher-rarity cards, a process deemed inefficient and frustrating by many players. For example, trading a 4-Diamond card requires 500 tokens, while selling a 1-Star card yields only 100.

In response to the negative feedback, DeNA acknowledged the concerns and announced plans to introduce alternative methods of obtaining trade tokens, including event distributions. They also clarified that the restrictive rules were implemented to deter bot activity and multi-account exploitation. The developer aims to balance gameplay fairness with the core collecting aspect of the game.

Genetic Apex Booster Pack Accessibility Concerns

Another point of contention involves the release of the Space-Time Smackdown booster packs. Some players mistakenly believed the Genetic Apex packs had been removed from the game. While the home screen only prominently displayed the newer packs, Genetic Apex packs remain accessible via a less noticeable "Select other booster packs" option in the bottom right corner.

This oversight, attributed to poor UI design, led to concerns about the game's first booster pack being permanently unavailable. Players suggested improving the home screen display to avoid future confusion. While DeNA hasn't directly addressed this issue, the clarification should alleviate concerns about the accessibility of Genetic Apex packs.